We at Calvary honor our baptismal covenant to “respect the dignity of every human being.” We celebrate the wonderful diversity of the human family, and strive to include a place for everyone at God’s table. Whether you’re young or old, rich or poor; married, partnered, or single; housed or homeless; gay, straight, trans, or questioning; native, documented, or undocumented…whoever you are (and just as you are), there is a place for you here.

Adult Forum at 9:30 AM in the

Fireside Room

Drop in and share your insights, thoughts and questions.


Illumination, fellowship & fresh brewed coffee!

In our Parish Community we pray for Chance Blackburn, Haley Seifert, Cindy Hershberger, John Morris, Eric Martin, Marv Peterson, Al Reetz, and Isabella Salido. We pray for the repose of the soul of Shirley Mooers and all those who recently passed away. We also pray for Katie Knapp who will begin her seminary studies this fall.

In our Deanery we pray for our deanery partner church, All Saints’ Carmel.

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for St. Mary’s by-the-Sea in Pacific Grove.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for The Episcopal Church.

FLOWER AND CANDLE DEDICATIONS

If you would like a way to honor your loved ones or to mark a special occasion, consider a dedication for altar flowers or the sanctuary candle. A donation of $30 will dedicate the altar flowers, and a donation of $10 will dedicate the sanctuary candle and the votive candles.

To make a dedication please use the "Flowers" envelope available in the narthex and in the pew racks, indicating whether your donation is for the flowers or the candle, and include the specific date you'd like your dedication to appear in the Sunday bulletin.

CALVARY CARES

At Calvary, we believe in the power of prayer and the strength of community. You are invited to submit the names of family members

and loved ones (with their permission) for inclusion on our Prayer List by emailing office@calvarysantacruz.org.

If you or someone in your family is in need of pastoral or parish care, please reach out to Rev. B Simon Dinglasan, Jr. at 831-205-3503

or via email at rector@calvarysantacruz.org.

We are here for you.

SAVE ON TAXES WHILE SUPPORTING CALVARY

If you have a traditional IRA, the IRS requires you to begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) at age 73. These withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and can sometimes push you into a higher tax bracket.

There’s a simple way to turn this requirement into a benefit for both you and the church.

Through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), you can direct your RMD to a qualified nonprofit like Calvary Episcopal Church. When done correctly, this donation is excluded from your taxable income, which may help lower your overall tax burden.

Here’s how it can help:

• Reduce your taxable income by donating directly from your IRA

• Potentially stay in a lower tax bracket

• Give up to $108,000 per year (or $216,000 for couples)

• Support the mission and ministry of Calvary

Important: The funds must be transferred directly from your IRA to the church in order to qualify. Be sure to consult your financial advisor to arrange the proper transfer.

Several Calvary parishioners are already using this approach and have found it to be a meaningful and tax-wise way to give.

It’s a practical way to support the church while making the most of your required distributions.

FOOD ASSISTANCE DONATION DRIVE

Calvary Church is responding to the Bishop’s Call to Action: Food Assistance in the Diocese. The food you have donated is going to the Food Pantry at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Scott’s Valley. They express their sincere appreciation each time the donations are delivered and send their gratitude to all!

Please bring your donations of shelf-stable foods to church on Sunday mornings. Please ensure the donated items have not expired or been damaged. Canned items that are “easy open” with pull-top lids are helpful for those who may not have access to a can opener.

Specific items most needed by Food Banks include:

Canned fish, Canned vegetables, Canned stew, Canned fruit, Canned soup, Canned beans, Pasta, Rice, Peanut Butter. Packaged healthy snacks are also needed.

The bins are in the Narthex as you enter the church, and the Parish Hall.

Thank you for your generosity!

Weekly Midweek Eucharist

LECTIO DIVINA

Join us for Lectio Divina on WEDNESDAYS at 9:00 AM, either in person at the church or via Zoom (link below). All are welcome to participate in this time of prayerful reflection and scripture.

Note that Lectio Divina is not a traditional bible study but rather a devotional practice of deepening our connection with the Gospel text for the following Sunday through contemplative reading and sharing.

FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR



August is a quiet month in Calvary’s music ministry. There are five Sundays in August this year and the choir and I are off after August 2^nd. Kate will be off on the 16^th and 23^rd of August. Parishioner Hani Essengil, who is an accomplished pianist, will provide the music on the 16^th. Ethan Williams, who played wonderfully for us a few weeks ago, will be on the bench on the 23^rd.

The Summer Choir will sing on September 6^th. On September 13^th some of our choral scholars will be in place and we’ll pretend to have the whole Calvary Choir back.



September 13^th is the Eve of Holy Cross Day and, once again, we will celebrate this festival, for which our city is named, in a joint Vespers service with Holy Cross Church at 4:30 in the afternoon. Their pastor, Fr. Manny, their parish liturgist and music director, Sr. Barbara Long, and their choir will join us. This year the service will be here at Calvary.

THANK YOU, HYMN SELECTION COMMITTEE

Our sincere thanks to Sonja Reetz, Cathy Watson, Elizabeth Chandler, Alice Lopez, Peter Brooks, Charmion Burns, and Hani Esengil for giving your time and care to selecting hymns for the remainder of August.

Your work has been a tremendous help in preparing our worship, and we especially appreciate the thoughtful use of a variety of hymn sources, reflecting the richness and breadth of the Episcopal Church's musical tradition.

Thank you for sharing your gifts with our parish!

Dear Calvary Family,

As most of you know, my start at Calvary in 2022 was actually a re-start…I’d been organist -and youth choir director- at Calvary from 1992-2003 and had been baptized here. When I applied for the position in 2022, after singing with the choir as a church member online during the pandemic, I was abundantly blessed with the opportunity to take the post, and it was such fun to play in my middle age after having played in my early adulthood. I have thoroughly enjoyed furthering Murray’s vision for the music program with our warm collaboration, and have loved supporting the choir and you, the congregation, in worship.

I’m right at the point where a lifetime of musical study, practice, and commitment are culminating in many facets of growth. I had expressed hope a year ago that we might split my position into two posts: rehearsal accompanist and service accompaniment, so that I could make the most of my time in service and reserve more time for my other projects; however, that was not consonant with Murray and Simon’s vision so I recently humbly submitted my resignation.

I look forward to seeing you as able and I’d love to welcome you to my concerts (www.musicalsoulmatessc.com) and piano recitals (www.sapphiresuzukipiano.com); I’ll see you from the pews- or perhaps as an occasional substitute-from the organ bench.

With love and gratitude,

Kate



831.227.7535

FIRST FRIDAY AT CALVARY



The Parish Hall now participates in downtown Santa Cruz’s First Friday Art Walks.

If you are an artist and would like to be considered for future exhibits, contact Juli Robbins through the office with the number of pieces you would like to show. Space is limited.

FILM CLUB

Our next Film Club selection is the Martin Scorsese classic The Last Temptation of Christ. Based on the book by Nikos Kazantzakis, its emphasis on the human side of Jesus was controversial when it was released in 1988 and continues to be controversial today.



To quote Roger Ebert: “I cannot think of another film on a religious subject that has challenged me more fully. The film has offended those whose ideas about God and man it does not reflect. But then, so did Jesus.”

The film is available to rent on Prime, YouTube, and Apple TV for $3.99.

Watch the film at your leisure, then join us for what promises to be a rich discussion on Saturday, August 15^th, at 4:00 pm via Zoom.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89759022770?pwd=f8dLdvlLyh892xRmPOFRoE2CrjLdlr.1

SUMMER READ: Braiding Sweetgrass

The book club has chosen Braiding Sweetgrass as our summer read and agreed to take two months to enjoy it before meeting on August 21.

The book has received enthusiastic reviews from members, who feel it will provide a meaningful bridge between June’s selection, Turtle Island, and our parish retreat on September 25–27.

During the retreat, we will explore themes of water, sacred space, creation care, native plants, and Indigenous wisdom and learning. Watch for more details in the coming weeks.

CRAFT NIGHT & GAME NIGHT

Game Night and Craft Night will resume in September!

Beginning then, Craft Night will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, and Game Night will meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month.

Watch the bulletin for additional details, including any updates to Craft Night. We look forward to seeing you there!

PARISH HALL TOWN MEETING

What’s happening at Calvary? Come and find out!

Join us for a Parish Hall Town Meeting on Sunday, August 30, from 12:00–1:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Come hear what’s happening around Calvary, learn about what’s ahead, and share your thoughts and ideas as we look together at the life and future of our parish.

Your voice matters. We hope you’ll join us!

SNACKS OUTREACH

The Boys and Girls Club and Calvary Preschool are actively open and serving the children of our community.

They are our neighbors and appreciate our outreach efforts to provide pre-packaged snacks for children. Please continue this longstanding tradition. You may deliver them in person or leave them in the narthex on Sunday morning.

If you have questions, email Alice Lopez at enna.lopez@yahoo.com.

SOCKS FOR PEOPLE IN NEED (SPIN)

Having a pair of clean dry socks when you live outdoors is a good thing. Over the years Calvary has contributed socks to SPIN, the fourth ministry of the Association of Faith Communities. Along with other Santa Cruz congregations over 60,000 pairs of socks have been distributed.

It’s simple: buy some socks, put them in the basket in the Narthex on Sunday morning and make somebody’s feet happy.

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT

CALVARY’S COMMUNITY PRESENCE

Rev. Simon is forming a Community Presence Committee to help promote events at Calvary in a coordinated and strategic way. If you have broad community connections, marketing or graphic design skills, or a passion for helping Calvary grow as a centrally located

“community cultural center,” we’d love to hear from you!

We’re also looking for volunteers to help livestream our worship services for members who are homebound, hospitalized, or unable to attend in person. If you’re interested, please reach out to Rev. Simon or Alex Johnson.

This is a wonderful way to share your talents, strengthen our community, and make a meaningful impact!



Affordable Housing Waitlist Now Open in Downtown Santa Cruz

The waitlist for affordable housing units at the Cedar Street apartment complex in Downtown Santa Cruz is now open to applicants.

If you or someone you know is looking for affordable housing, check it out and spread the word! Please share this opportunity with friends, family, neighbors, and anyone who may benefit.

How to apply

• For assistance and questions, applicants can reach out to 525 Cedar St.:Phone: (831) 316-7725
• Email: cedarstreet@jsco.net
• Address: 525 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060

☕ COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED ☕

We’re looking for volunteers to host Coffee Hour and help keep this beloved Sunday tradition going. Hosting is simple and a wonderful way to serve and connect with our church community.

If you’re interested, please call or email Sandy Goodman at 831-251-4030 or sansanag95062@gmail.com

THINKING ABOUT JOINING CALVARY? WE'RE HERE TO HELP!

Interested in making Calvary your spiritual home? We're happy to assist you with transferring your membership.

Please contact Carlos, our Parish Administrator, for guidance.

The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

📞 Call us at 831-423-8787

📧 Or email: officemanager@calvarysantacruz.org



We’re glad you’re here—and we’re ready to walk with you on this journey!

UPCOMING EVENTS TO NOTE:

Saturday, August 15

Film Club Discussion

The Last Temptation of Christ.

4:00 PM via Zoom

Friday, August 21

SUMMER READ: Braiding Sweetgrass

Discussion

Parish Retreat

September 25–27

*watch for more details in the coming weeks!

Sunday, August 30

Town Meeting

Parish Hall

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Ministry Interest? Start Here!

Click red name for e-mail



Adult Education, Cathy Watson

Book Club, Dana Bagshaw

Archives/History, Carol Walker

Building, Grounds, Rentals, Margo Fisher

Calvary Cares, Sonja Reetz

Coffee Hour, Sandy Goodman

Communication/REALM, Treasurer, Cathy Watson

Parish Life, Juli Robbins

Creation Care, Dana Bagshaw

Labyrinth, Martha Dexter

Social Justice/COPA, Al Reetz

Stewardship, Alice Lopez

This Week at Calvary, Carlos Serna

Worship, Elizabeth Chandler

Read the Latest Issue!

Real Episcopal is emailed out every two weeks. Inside you’ll find news about our diocese, the Episcopal Church, unique parish programs, photos, diocesan event & conference announcements, grant opportunities, and messages from Bishop Lucinda.

Monday - Friday

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

The Rev. B. Simon Dinglasan, Jr.

(pronouns: they/them)

Email

Senior Warden

Alice Lopez

Email

Junior Warden

Margo Fisher

Email

Calvary Vestry:



Alice Lopez (Sr. Warden), Margo Fisher (Jr. Warden), Jane Martin (Clerk),

Elizabeth Chandler, Colin Bowser, Tony Nickel, Patricia Messer, and Juli Robbins.